If you were to stroll past Aberdeen campus, you would perhaps notice the Latin phrase, Initium sapientiae timor domini, above Aberdeen University entrance.

You may not think twice of its importance and walk on; you may even say Latin is a dead language. However, whether you acknowledge it or not, Latin does in fact matter, because it underpins our western society. Without Latin, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian and arguably the English language would not exist in the form they do today. Latin is not dead, but it’s very much misunderstood.

On a larger scale, but in a similar sense, Christianity is misunderstood. In a western society with a deep Christian history, it is surprising that many do not know about the incredible importance of the person of Christ. Latin gives our language value and meaning. Christianity does so much more: it gives value to our soul (Psalm 16:10 & Mark 8:36) and meaning to our life (Galatians 2:20).

Initium sapientiae timor domini ties together Latin and Christianity. The phrase, which is found in Psalm 111, means, “the beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord.” We live in a society where everyone is anxious about the future, yet they have no respect for God. But when you enter into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, you enter into rest (Hebrews 4:13).  There can be no anxiety about the future when you are trusting in One who upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1.3).  This lack of fear about the future does not mean that Christians see themselves as perfect or superior to others. In fact, it means the exact opposite. Christians are people who have acknowledged that they are sinners and have placed their trust in the God who is righteous, gracious and full of compassion (Psalm 111:3-4).